This page is intended for Public Health professionals. Others will probably find Keeping warm in the winter more useful.
Work has been ongoing in Warwickshire for a number of years to reduce the risk that cold weather poses to health, including causing health complications for people with heart and lung conditions, as well as having a negative impact on mental wellbeing. Every year, detailed planning takes place prior to the winter to put in place measures to minimise the impact of cold weather on the population and on health and social care services.
Part of this involves communicating information to frontline health and social care services to ensure they are protecting their most vulnerable patients or service users, and that key messages are being conveyed to the public. Campaign work towards keeping people warm and well includes short term interventions, such as ensuring eligible persons receive their flu jabs, and long term interventions, such as financial support and guidance around insulating houses and switching energy suppliers. Similar types of preparation also take place for hot weather.
Fuel poverty
Fuel poverty is an important public health problem, with 12.2% of households (28,774) in Warwickshire with a higher than average energy bill. Understanding where these problems lie helps us target interventions to support those most in need. As part of the Warm and Well contract in Warwickshire, Act on Energy has been commissioned as the single point of contact for energy advice and support. For advice please call 0800 988 2881.